Zocdoc launched a new suite of tools to compete with the solutions sold by Phreesia, NexHealth and Solutionreach. The product suite, which is free for any provider to use, includes tools to streamline the patient intake process, facilitate online scheduling and enable video visits.

Zocdoc recently struck a partnership with Elation Health to increase patients’ access to care. Now, any provider who uses Elation’s primary care-specific EHR can integrate their calendar into Zocdoc’s platform — meaning that the millions of patients who search for care via Zocdoc each month will have access to these providers’ real-time appointment availability.

Patients can now find and book urgent care appointments in 22 states at more than 200 facilities on Zocdoc’s marketplace. In 2023, the company saw the volume of new urgent care facilities on Zocdoc grow by nearly 40% month over month on average and urgent care bookings grow by 80% month over month on average.

Zocdoc, a healthcare marketplace, is adding Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to its platform. Patients are now able to find and book appointments with FQHCs working with Zocdoc on the company’s website or app, and can filter based on factors like specialty and location.

Through the partnership, patients can find and book appointments with Zaya’s providers via Zocdoc’s website or app. The partnership represents the first time Zocdoc will have lactation consultants available on its marketplace, said Dr. Oliver Kharraz, Zocdoc founder and CEO.

Kharraz made a bold declaration about telehealth back in December 2020. In the final episode of 2022, we ask him about that and more.

To Zocdoc CEO Oliver Kharraz, it’s helpful to think about telehealth like an e-scooter, because virtual care is just one tool in the toolbox. For example, you wouldn’t use an e-scooter to get to the airport, but you might use it to visit a friend who lives a mile away. Similarly, you wouldn’t use telehealth to get a colonoscopy, but you might use it for a follow-up visit with your gastroenterologist.

Mental health is bucking the overall trend in telehealth utilization. A new report found that telehealth accounted for 87% of mental health appointments booked last month. That percentage is continuing to climb, despite virtual care visits declining across all other specialties.

 Zocdoc, which had built its business as an online scheduling platform for doctors, quickly pivoted at the beginning of the pandemic to offer telehealth visits. The company recently raised $150 million from Francisco Partners.

Serkan Kutan, a veteran of Microsoft, Amazon and Goldman Sachs, most recently served as the chief technology officer for online appointment booking company ZocDoc.

Telemedicine and EHR vendors figured into deals involving Medtronic, CVS and Zocdoc, among other businesses.

Zocdoc founder and CEO Dr. Oliver Kharraz chatted with MedCity about what his company is doing to improve patient access and engagement.

Zocdoc also dropped the capital D from its name, formerly written as “ZocDoc,” and redesigned its website.